Registering your baby’s birth

Congratulations on the birth of your baby! You will need to register your baby’s birth.

If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland there is a legal requirement to register your baby’s birth at your local registry office within 42 days (six weeks). In Scotland, you need to register within 21 days.

Details of how and where to register the birth can be found on GOV.UK or from the information given to you by your midwife.

Click here to find your local register office.

What information will I be asked to provide?

• The date and the place your baby was born
• The sex of the baby
• The name(s) you have chosen and the last name you wish your baby to have
• Full names and addresses of both parents and their place and date of birth
• The date of the parents’ marriage/civil partnership (if applicable)
• Mother’s maiden name (if applicable), and
• Parents’ employment details

You might not be asked to provide all of this information, depending on who is registering the birth, but it’s best to arrive prepared.

If you are not married/in a civil partnership, both parents/carers will need to attend to gain parental responsibility. Go to GOV.UK for further information about registering the baby’s birth in this case.

You’ll also need to take at least one form of identification with you. For example:

• Your passport
• Your birth certificate
• Your deed poll (if you have changed your surname)
• Your driving licence
• A proof of address (e.g. Council tax bill)
• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate

You should also take your child’s personal child health record or ‘red book’, as some registrars may ask to see it.

You can find out more on GOV.UK.